Operation target identification system

ABSTRACT

An operation target identification system includes at least one terminal device connected to a network, having a first display, devices connected to the network, each of which has a second display, and an identical pattern setting unit provided on the network, which selects one of multiple preset display patterns and sets the selected display pattern to the first display of the terminal device and the second display of one of the devices designated as an operation target of the terminal device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of prior U.S. application Ser. No.11/377,406, filed Mar. 17, 2006, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-077868, filed on Mar. 17,2005. The entire subject matter of these applications is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The following description relates to a technique for allowing a user ofa system including a terminal device and devices connected to theterminal device via a network to easily identify or recognize a devicethat has been designated as an operation target of the terminal devicefrom the devices.

BACKGROUND

Various types of image formation devices such as printers and MFPs(Multi Function Peripherals) are on the market today, and some of theimage formation devices are provided with a Web server function and arecapable of supplying a Web page (to be used for operating the imageformation device) to a terminal device that is connected to the imageformation device via a network (see Japanese Patent ProvisionalPublication No. HEI10-136142, for example).

Such a Web page generally indicates an external view, model name, IPaddress, serial number, installation location, etc. of the imageformation device that has been designated as the operation target of theterminal device in order to let the user of the terminal device easilyrecognize which of the image formation devices connected to the terminaldevice is the operation target.

Meanwhile, when image formation devices are introduced into a company,office, etc., there are cases where devices of the same type (model) areinstalled so as to realize simple maintenance and management of theimage formation devices.

In such cases, it is difficult for users to recognize which of the imageformation devices is the current operation target of the terminal deviceat a glance into the aforementioned Web page even if an external view,model name, IP address, serial number, installation location, etc. ofthe image formation device as the operation target is indicated on theWeb page.

An example of a problem with the above technique is shown in FIG. 24, inwhich the user of the terminal device viewing the Web page canerroneously recognize that the image formation device A is the operationtarget of the terminal device even though the image formation device Bhas actually become the operation target.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are advantageous in that a technique, allowingusers to easily identify or recognize a device that has been designatedas the operation target of a terminal device connected to a network evenwhen devices of the same type (model) are connected to the network, canbe provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a printing system as an operationtarget identification system in accordance with at least someillustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal composition of a mainbody of a PC included in the printing system of FIG. 1 according to atleast some illustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal composition of a mainbody of the printer included in the printing system of FIG. 1 accordingto at least some illustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing showing a Web browser screen displayedby the PC, on which a Web page received from a printer in the printingsystem is displayed according to at least some illustrative aspects ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of an informationacquisition process which is executed by a CPU of a printer in theprinting system according to at least some illustrative aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure of an informationtransmission process which is executed by the CPU of the printeraccording to at least some illustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of an update process whichis executed by the CPU of the printer according to at least someillustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a screen setting processwhich is executed by the CPU of the printer according to at least someillustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of a table stored in a nonvolatilememory or a RAM of the printer to be used for the update process, inwhich a display parameter, an operation color, a warning color and anerror color regarding each printer are stored according to at least someillustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a link display processwhich is executed by the CPU of the printer according to at least someillustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a Web page whichis displayed when a link “Print Setting” is selected (e.g. clicked) onthe screen of FIG. 4 according to at least some illustrative aspects ofthe invention.

FIGS. 12A-12C are explanatory drawings showing examples of screensdisplayed by the printer according to at least some illustrative aspectsof the invention.

FIGS. 12D-12F are explanatory drawings showing examples of screensdisplayed by the PC according to at least some illustrative aspects ofthe invention.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a PC-side screensetting process which is executed by a CPU of the PC according to atleast some illustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory drawing schematically showing the operation ofthe PC and the printer in the printing system according to at least someillustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory drawing showing the effect of the printingsystem according to at least some illustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a printer-side screensetting process which is executed by a CPU of a printer in a printingsystem as an operation target identification system according to atleast some illustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory drawing schematically showing the operation ofa PC and the printer in the printing system according to at least someillustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory drawing showing the effect of the printingsystem according to at least some illustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a printing system as an operationtarget identification system in accordance with a third embodimentaccording to at least some illustrative aspects of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the internal composition of a serverincluded in the printing system of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory drawing schematically showing the operation ofa PC, a printer and the server in the printing system of the thirdembodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory drawing showing the effect of the printingsystem in accordance with the third embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a PC-side screensetting process which is executed in a modification of the thirdembodiment.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a problem with aconventional system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Overview

There is provided an operation target identification system including atleast one terminal device connected to a network, having a firstdisplay; devices connected to the network, each of which has a seconddisplay; and an identical pattern setting unit provided on the networkconfigured to select one of the preset display patterns and set theselected display pattern to the first display of the terminal device andthe second display of one of the devices designated as an operationtarget of the terminal device.

In the above operation target identification system, the identicalpattern setting unit selects a display pattern from multiple presetdisplay patterns and sets the selected display pattern to the firstscreen of the terminal device and the second screen of the devicedesignated as the operation target of the terminal device.

Therefore, with the above operation target identification system, evenwhen devices of the same type (model) are connected to the network, theuser can recognize at a glance that a device with the display pattern ofthe first screen (i.e. a device whose second screen is indicating adisplay pattern identical with that of the first screen of the terminaldevice) is the device designated as the operation target of the terminaldevice.

As above, the operation target identification system allows the user torecognize a device designated as the operation target of the terminaldevice at a glance even when devices of the same type (model) areconnected to the network.

Incidentally, the network may be implemented either by a wired networkusing network cables or a wireless network using wireless communication.

The display pattern may be set in any manner as long as the devicedesignated as the operation target of the terminal device can berecognized at a glance. For example, the selected display pattern mayinclude a display color as an element.

By setting the display pattern as above, the device designated as theoperation target of the terminal device can be recognized at a glancebased on the display color.

In some aspects, the selected display pattern may include a display modeas an element.

By setting the display pattern as above, the device designated as theoperation target of the terminal device can be recognized at a glancebased on the display mode. Incidentally, the display mode may includethe screen contrast, a combination of display colors, a pattern, etc.

In some aspects, the selected display pattern may include a blinkingmode as an element.

By setting the display pattern as above, the device designated as theoperation target of the terminal device can be recognized at a glancebased on the blinking mode. Incidentally, the blinking mode may includethe pattern of blinking, the interval between blinks, the duration ofeach blink, etc.

In some aspects where an information indicating area proving informationon the devices is displayed on the first display, the identical patternsetting unit regards a background of the information indicating area asa target of the display pattern setting.

By configuring the identical pattern setting unit as above, the useroperating a device via the terminal device is allowed to recognize thedevice designated as the operation target of the terminal device at aglance while referring to the information on the devices, without theneed to refer to the display of information irrelevant to the deviceoperation.

In some aspects where the information indicating area includes a deviceoperating area configured to display operation information for thedevices, the identical pattern setting unit regards a background of thedevice operating area as a target of the display pattern setting.

By configuring the identical pattern setting unit as above, the user isallowed to identify or recognize the device designated as the operationtarget of the terminal device at a glance while operating the device onthe operation screen.

In some aspects where the device operating area is partitioned into afirst area for displaying status information representing status of thedevices and a second area for displaying information other than thestatus of the devices, the identical pattern setting unit regards abackground of the first area as a target of the display pattern setting.

By configuring the identical pattern setting unit as above, the user isallowed to recognize the device designated as the operation target ofthe terminal device at a glance while checking the status of the deviceson the operation screen. Incidentally, each of the first and secondareas may either be composed of one or multiple areas.

In some aspects where a device operating area configured to displayoperation information for the devices and a link screen linked with thedevice operating area are displayed on the first display, the identicalpattern setting unit regards a background of the device operating areaand a background of the link screen as targets of the display patternsetting.

By configuring the identical pattern setting unit as above, the user isallowed to recognize the device designated as the operation target ofthe terminal device at a glance while referring to the operation screenor the link screen. In at least some aspects when the link screen isdisplayed, the user is relieved of the need of calling up the operationscreen again to recognize the device designated as the operation targetof the terminal device.

While the second screen of each device may display any type ofinformation, in some aspects status information representing status ofeach device can be displayed on the second display of each device.

In this case, the user is allowed to check the status of the deviceswhile recognizing the device designated as the operation target of theterminal device.

In some aspects, the identical pattern setting unit includes anidentification unit configured to identify display patterns set to thesecond displays of the devices other than the second display of thedevice designated as the operation target of the terminal device. Theidentical pattern setting unit is configured to select the displaypattern to be set to the first display of the terminal device and thesecond display of the device designated as the operation target of theterminal device if the display pattern differs from every one of thedisplay patterns identified by the identification unit in at least oneelement.

By configuring the identical pattern setting unit as above, the displaypattern of the second screen of the device designated as the operationtarget of the terminal device is set so that it will not be identicalwith the display pattern of the second screen of any other device.

Therefore, the user can be prevented from erroneously recognizing adifferent device as the device designated as the operation target of theterminal device.

In some aspects where a status pattern, as a display pattern to be setto at least one of the first display and the second display depending onstatus of each device, has been specified previously, the identicalpattern setting unit is configured to select the display pattern to beset to the first display of the terminal device and the second displayof the device designated as the operation target of the terminal deviceif the display pattern differs from the status pattern in at least oneelement.

By configuring the identical pattern setting unit as above, theidentical pattern setting unit can be prevented from erroneouslyselecting a display pattern identical with the status pattern andsetting the selected display pattern to the first screen of the terminaldevice and the second screen of the device designated as the operationtarget of the terminal device.

In the case where a status pattern to be set to the first screen of theterminal device depending on the status of each device has beenspecified previously, the above configuration of the identical patternsetting unit can prevent the user from erroneously recognizing that thedisplay pattern of the first screen has been set for the recognition ofthe device designated as the operation target of the terminal deviceeven though the display pattern has been set depending on the status ofa device.

In the case where a status pattern to be set to the second screen ofeach device depending on the status of the device has been specifiedpreviously, the above configuration of the identical pattern settingunit can prevent the user from erroneously recognizing that the displaypattern of the second screen has been set for the recognition of thedevice designated as the operation target of the terminal device eventhough the display pattern has been set depending on the status of thedevice. Further, the user can be prevented from mistaking a differentdevice (having the status pattern on its second screen) for the devicedesignated as the operation target of the terminal device.

In some aspects the identical pattern setting unit includes a selectioninstruction receiving unit configured to receive a selection instructionfor selecting a display pattern. The identical pattern setting unit isconfigured to select the display pattern to be set to the first displayof the terminal device and the second display of the device designatedas the operation target of the terminal device according to theselection instruction received by the selection instruction receivingunit.

By configuring the identical pattern setting unit as above, theselection of the display pattern can be made through the selectioninstruction. For example, by configuring the identical pattern settingunit so as to let the user of the terminal device input the selectioninstruction to the identical pattern setting unit, the user can selectthe display pattern and can easily recognize the device designated asthe operation target of the terminal device only by finding a devicedisplaying the display pattern that he or she selected.

In some aspects the identical pattern setting unit is configured toidentify display patterns set to the second displays of the devicesother than the second display of the device designated as the operationtarget of the terminal device in response to the selection of thedisplay pattern. In response to the selected display pattern being thesame as at least one of the identified display patterns, the identicalpattern setting unit is configured to reselect a display pattern otherthan the selected display pattern that differs from every one of theidentified display patterns in at least one element.

By configuring the identical pattern setting unit as above, even when adisplay pattern identical with the display pattern set to the secondscreen of a device other than the device designated as the operationtarget of the terminal device is selected, a display pattern differingfrom the above display pattern in at least one element can be set to thefirst screen of the terminal device and the second screen of the devicedesignated as the operation target of the terminal device.

Therefore, the display pattern of the second screen of the devicedesignated as the operation target of the terminal device can be set sothat it will not be identical with the display pattern of the secondscreen of any other device, by which the user can be prevented fromerroneously recognizing a different device as the device designated asthe operation target of the terminal device.

In some aspects where a status pattern, as a display pattern to be setto at least one of the first display and the second display depending onstatus of each device, is specified previously, the identical patternsetting unit is configured to judge whether the selected display patternis the same as the status pattern in response to the selection of thedisplay pattern. In response to the selected display pattern being thesame as the status pattern, the identical pattern setting unit isconfigured to reselect a display pattern other than the selected displaypattern that differs from the status pattern in at least one element.

By configuring the identical pattern setting unit as above, even when adisplay pattern identical with the status pattern is selected, a displaypattern differing from the above display pattern (status pattern) in atleast one element can be set to the first screen of the terminal deviceand the second screen of the device designated as the operation targetof the terminal device.

In some aspects each of the devices includes: a status detecting unitconfigured to detect status of the device; and a device-side specifiedpattern setting unit configured to operate in response to a state to bereported being detected by the status detecting unit and a displaypattern having already been set to the second display of the device bythe identical pattern setting unit, and configured to set a specifiedpattern (which has been specified previously corresponding to the stateto be reported) to the second display other than the display pattern setby the identical pattern setting unit. Incidentally, the “specifiedpattern” which is specified previously may be a fixed color associatedwith a particular state of the device (e.g. red in case of an error,yellow in case of a warning, etc.).

By configuring each device as above, even when the display pattern forthe recognition of the device designated as the operation target of theterminal device has been set to the second screen, the “specifiedpattern” is set to the second screen when the state to be reportedoccurs for the device (e.g. a previously specified color associated tothe state is displayed on the second screen), by which the user canrecognize at a glance that the state to be reported is occurring.

In some aspects each of the devices includes a first operationcancellation unit configured to cancel the operation of the device-sidespecified pattern setting unit in response to the state to be reportedno longer being detected by the status detecting unit during theoperation of the device-side specified pattern setting unit.

By configuring each device as above, the specified pattern set to thesecond screen is canceled when the state to be reported occurring to thedevice ceases, by which the user can recognize at a glance that thestate to be reported has ended in the device. Further, by restoring thesecond screen to the display pattern set by the identical patternsetting unit, it is possible to let the user of the terminal devicerecognize again that the device has been designated as the operationtarget of the terminal device.

In some aspects where the status detecting unit is configured to detectstates to be reported, the device-side specified pattern setting unit isconfigured to operate if a specified state (as one of the states to bereported that has been specified previously) is detected by the statusdetecting unit.

By configuring the device-side specified pattern setting unit as above,the setting of the “specified pattern” to the second screen is made onlywhen the “specified state”, among the states to be reported, isoccurring to the device, by which the user can recognize at a glancethat the “specified state” (especially specified from the states to bereported) is occurring for the device. In other cases, the user can keeprecognizing whether each device is the device designated as theoperation target of the terminal device.

Incidentally, any state can be specified as the above “specified state”.For example, the specified state may include an abnormal state which hasbeen specified previously.

By specifying the specified state as above, the specified pattern can beset to the second screen of a device when the previously specifiedabnormal state occurs for the device, by which the user can recognize ata glance that the previously specified abnormal state (especiallyspecified from the states to be reported) is occurring for the device.

In some aspects the specified state may include an external operationstate in which the device is subjected to an external operation.

By specifying the specified state as above, the specified pattern can beset to the second screen of a device when the device is in the externaloperation state, that is, when the device is subjected to an externaloperation. Therefore, the second screen of the device in the externaloperation state displays a display pattern (specified pattern)originally supposed to be displayed in the external operation state, bywhich the user operating the device can be relieved of a reduction inoperability, a feeling of strangeness, etc. caused by the displaypattern set to the second screen by the identical pattern setting unit.When the user is operating keys, etc. on the exterior surface of thedevice, the display of the specified pattern originally specified forthe external operation state, maintaining the viewability of informationdisplayed on the second screen, is desirable.

While the above specified state may be specified to include the externaloperation state only, the specified state may also be specified toinclude a preset time period from the end of the external operation.

In some aspects each of the devices includes a status detecting unitconfigured to detect status of the device. The network is provided witha terminal-side specified pattern setting unit configured to operate inresponse to a state to be reported being detected by the statusdetecting unit and a display pattern having already been set to thefirst display by the identical pattern setting unit, and configured toset a specified pattern (which has been previously specifiedcorresponding to the state to be reported) to the first display otherthan the display pattern set by the identical pattern setting unit.Incidentally, the “specified pattern” which is previously specified maybe a fixed color associated with a particular state of the device (e.g.red in case of an error, yellow in case of a warning, etc.).

By the above configuration, even when the display pattern for therecognition of the device designated as the operation target of theterminal device has been set to the first screen, the “specifiedpattern” is set to the first screen when the state to be reported occursfor a device (e.g. a previously specified color associated to the stateis displayed on the first screen), by which the user can recognize at aglance that the state to be reported is occurring for a device.

In some aspects the network is provided with a second operationcancellation unit configured to cancel the operation of theterminal-side specified pattern setting unit in response to the state tobe reported no longer being detected by the status detecting unit duringoperation of the terminal-side specified pattern setting unit.

By the above configuration, the specified pattern set to the firstscreen is canceled when the state to be reported occurring to the deviceceases, by which the user can recognize at a glance that the state to bereported has ended in the device. Further, by restoring the first screento the display pattern set by the identical pattern setting unit, it ispossible to let the user of the terminal device recognize again that thedevice has been designated as the operation target of the terminaldevice.

In some aspects where the status detecting unit is configured to detectstates to be reported, the terminal-side specified pattern setting unitis configured to operate if a specified state (as one of the states tobe reported that has been specified previously) is detected by thestatus detecting unit.

By configuring the terminal-side specified pattern setting unit asabove, the setting of the “specified pattern” to the first screen ismade only when the “specified state”, among the states to be reported,is occurring for a device, by which the user can recognize at a glancethat the “specified state” (specified from the states to be reported) isoccurring for the device. In other aspects, the user can keeprecognizing whether each device is the device designated as theoperation target of the terminal device.

Incidentally, any state can be specified as the above “specified state”.For example, the specified state may include an abnormal state which hasbeen specified previously.

By specifying the specified state as above, the specified pattern can beset to the first screen of the terminal device when the previouslyspecified abnormal state occurs to a device, by which the user canrecognize at a glance that the previously specified abnormal state(especially specified from the plurality of states to be reported) isoccurring to a device.

In some aspects the specified state may include an external operationstate in which the device is subjected to an external operation.

By specifying the specified state as above, the specified pattern can beset to the first screen of the terminal device when a device is in theexternal operation state, by which the user can recognize at a glancethat a device is in the external operation state (specified from thestates to be reported).

While the above specified state may be specified to include the externaloperation state only, the specified state may also be specified toinclude a preset time period from the end of the external operation.

The identical pattern setting unit may be placed anywhere on thenetwork. For example, the identical pattern setting unit may beinstalled in the terminal device, or installed in each of the devices.

It is also possible to connect a server to the network and install theidentical pattern setting unit in the server.

There is provided a terminal device connected to a network for operatingdevices connected to the network. The terminal device includes anidentical pattern setting unit configured to select one of the presetdisplay patterns and to set the selected display pattern to a firstdisplay of the terminal device and a second screen of one of the devicesdesignated as an operation target of the terminal device.

There is provided a device connected to a network including devices anda terminal device operating the devices. The device includes anidentical pattern setting unit configured to select one of the presetdisplay patterns and to set the selected display pattern to a firstdisplay of the terminal device and a second display of one of thedevices designated as an operation target of the terminal device.

There is provided a server connected to a network including devices anda terminal device operating the devices. The server includes anidentical pattern setting unit configured to select one of the presetdisplay patterns and to set the selected display pattern to a firstdisplay of the terminal device and a second display of one of thedevices designated as an operation target of the terminal device.

There is provided a computer program product including computer-readableinstructions that cause a terminal device, connected to a network foroperating devices connected to the network, to function as an identicalpattern setting unit which selects one of the preset display patternsand sets the selected display pattern to a first display of the terminaldevice and a second display of one of the devices designated as anoperation target of the terminal device.

There is provided a computer program product including computer-readableinstructions that cause a device, connected to a network includingdevices and a terminal device operating the devices, to function as anidentical pattern setting unit which selects one of the preset displaypatterns and sets the selected display pattern to a first display of theterminal device and a second display of one of the devices designated asan operation target of the terminal device.

There is provided a computer program product including computer-readableinstructions that cause a server, connected to a network includingdevices and a terminal device operating the devices, to function as anidentical pattern setting unit which selects one of preset displaypatterns and sets the selected display pattern to a first display of theterminal device and a second display of one of the devices designated asan operation target of the terminal device.

A computer program implementing each of the above computer programproducts may be stored in a computer-readable record medium (flexibledisk (FD), optical disk (MO), DVD, CD-ROM, hard disk, memory card, etc.)to be loaded from the record medium into a computer for use in thecomputer. The program may also be stored in a ROM or backup RAMinstalled in a computer to be loaded into the computer. Further, theprogram may also be loaded into a computer via a network.

ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, a description will be given in detail ofillustrative embodiments.

First Illustrative Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a printing system 1 as anoperation target identification system in accordance with a firstillustrative embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a personal computer(PC) 2 and printers 3 and 4. The printers 3 and 4 are of the same type(model). In the printing system 1, these devices are connected togethervia a network 5 which is implemented by network cables (not shown) androuters (not shown). Incidentally, while only the PC 2 and the printers3 and 4 are shown in FIG. 1 for simplification of the explanation of thefirst illustrative embodiment, the actual printing system 1 may includea lot of other devices (other PCs of the same type as the PC 2 ordifferent types, other printers of the same type as the printers 3 and4, etc.) connected to the network 5.

The PC 2 is formed by connecting a display 22, a keyboard 23, a mouse(not shown), etc. to a main body 21. Each printer (3, 4) is providedwith a screen (32, 42) for displaying status information on the printer(3, 4). Each screen (32, 42) is implemented by an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) capable of color display and is placed at a viewable positionon the exterior surface of a main body (31, 41) of the printer (3, 4).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal composition of the mainbody 21 of the PC 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 21 includes a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit) 211 for executing various processes to be performed by the PC 2, aROM (Read Only Memory) 212 storing data such as a startup program (BIOS)which is run by the CPU 211 at the startup of the PC 2, a RAM (RandomAccess Memory) 213 which is used as a storage area when the CPU 211executes various processes, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 214 for storingdata (e.g. an operating system, a Web browser program, and programs forvarious processes to be executed by the CPU 211), an input I/F(interface) 215 for the inputting of input signals (supplied from thekeyboard 23, mouse, etc. connected to the main body 21) to the CPU 211,a video I/F 216 for letting the display 22 (connected to the main body21) display screens according to instructions from the CPU 211, and anetwork I/F 217 which is connected to the network 5 for connecting theCPU 211 with other devices connected to the network 5.

In the main body 21, the above components are connected together by asignal bus 218.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal composition of the mainbody 31 of the printer 3. Since the printers 3 and 4 are of the sametype (model), the following explanation of the internal composition ofthe main body 31 of the printer 3 holds also for the main body 41 of theprinter 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 31 includes a CPU 311 for controllingthe following components inside the main body 31, a ROM 312 storing data(e.g. an operating system (specifically, embedded OS), a Web serverprogram for letting the printer 3 function as a Web server, and programsfor various processes to be executed by the CPU 311), a RAM 313 which isused as a storage area when the CPU 311 executes various processes, anonvolatile memory 314 for recording data (e.g. data generated by theCPU 311 executing various processes and errors occurring in theprocesses), and a network I/F 315 which is connected to the network 5for connecting the CPU 311 with other devices connected to the network5.

The main body 31 further includes an operation unit 316 for theinputting of input signals (from various operation switches, buttons,etc. (not shown) provided on the exterior surface of the main body 31for operating the printer 3 from outside) to the CPU 311, a display unit317 for displaying the status information on the printer 3, etc. on thescreen 32 according to instructions from the CPU 311, and a print engine318 for executing printing according to instructions from the CPU 311.

In the main body 31, the above components are connected together by asignal bus 319.

In the following, some of the processes executed by the PC 2 and theprinters 3 and 4 that are relevant to certain aspects of the presentinvention will be described in detail. Since the printers 3 and 4 aredesigned to execute totally the same processes in accordance with theillustrative embodiments, the explanation of processes executed by theprinter 3 which will be given below holds also for the printer 4.

First, the Web browser program is activated by the CPU 211 of the PC 2in response to an operation by the user to the keyboard 23 or the mouse.When one of the printers 3 and 4 is selected and designated by the useras the target of operation (hereinafter referred to as “the operationtarget”) from a previously registered menu or printer list, an IPaddress or a node name (URL) of the selected printer is entered in theWeb browser. In the case where a node name is entered in the Webbrowser, the CPU 211 inquires of a DNS server about the IP address ofthe selected printer according to a prescribed communication protocol(HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) in the first illustrativeembodiment), obtains the IP address from the DNS server, and transmits arequest for a Web page to the obtained IP address as the destination. Inthe case where an IP address is entered in the Web browser, the CPU 211transmits the request for the Web page to the entered IP address as thedestination. When a Web page indicating information on the selectedprinter (top page) is received from the printer, the CPU 211 of the PC 2displays the received Web page on a Web browser screen being displayedon the display 22. Incidentally, while the user selects and designatesthe printer as the operation target from the menu or printer list inthis explanation, the user may also designate the operation targetprinter by directly entering the IP address or node name (URL) of theprinter in the Web browser.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing showing a Web browser screen 6displayed by the PC 2, on which a Web page received from a printer (3,4) is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the Web browser screen 6 is partitioned into a linkdisplay frame 61 and a status display frame 62. The status display frame62 is an area for displaying the status information on the printer (3,4). The link display frame 61 is an area for displaying links to beselected for switching the contents of the status display frame 62.

Specifically, the link display frame 61 displays links to other Webpages which have been assigned to the printer (3, 4).

The status display frame 62 displays a variety of information such as anillustration of the printer (3, 4), the model name, serial number andinstallation location of the printer (3, 4), a list box 621 to be usedby the user of the PC 2 for selecting one of preset display colors (red,blue, yellow, green, white, pink, orange, etc.) as the display color ofthe background of the status display frame 62, and a list box 622 to beused by the user for selecting one of preset display styles (e.g. acombination of a display mode (tiled pattern, single color filling,etc.) and a color blinking mode) as the display style of the backgroundof the status display frame 62.

When a display color or a display style is selected by the user from thelist box 621 or 622, the CPU 211 of the PC 2 transmits a Web page updaterequest to the printer as the sender of the Web page, together with adisplay parameter specifying the selected display color and/or displaystyle.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of an informationacquisition process which is executed by the CPU 311 of the printer 3.The CPU 311 executes the information acquisition process at preset timeintervals (one minute in the first illustrative embodiment).

As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 3 first broadcasts a transmissionrequest (requesting other printers on the network 5 to transmit“specified information” to the printer 3) to the network 5 according toa prescribed protocol (SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) in thisillustrative embodiment) (S10). Here, the “specified information”includes the display color and display style that have been set for thebackground of the screen of each printer (corresponding to the screen 32of the printer 3), status of each printer (the presence or absence of anerror state (e.g. paper jam) and a warning state (e.g. low toner)), thepresence or absence of external operation (operation to each printerfrom outside), etc.

Thereafter, the printer 3 receives the specified information from otherprinters connected to the network 5 (S15), stores the received specifiedinformation in the RAM 313 (S20), and ends the information acquisitionprocess of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure of an informationtransmission process which is executed by the CPU 311 of the printer 3.The CPU 311 executes the information transmission process when theaforementioned transmission request is received from another printer.

As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 311 detects the status of each part of theprinter 3 (S100), thereby collects the specified information (S105),transmits the collected specified information to the sender of thetransmission request (S110), and ends the information transmissionprocess of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of an update process whichis executed by the CPU 311 of the printer 3. The CPU 311 executes theupdate process when the aforementioned Web page update request isreceived from the PC 2.

As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 311 first judges whether a display color isspecified by the display parameter which has been received from the PC 2and stored in a temporary storage area of the RAM 313 (hereinafterreferred to as a “temporary parameter”) (S200). The temporary storagearea is a storage area reserved in the RAM 313 for temporarily storingthe display parameter received from the PC 2.

If no display color is specified by the temporary parameter (S200: NO),the process directly advances to step S240 which will be explainedlater. If a display color is specified by the temporary parameter (S200:YES), the CPU 311 judges whether the specified display color isidentical with an “error color” (red in the first illustrativeembodiment) which has previously been specified as a background color ofthe Web pages and the screen 32 of the printer 3 for indicating theoccurrence of the error state (S205). If the specified display color isidentical with the error color (S205: YES), the process advances to stepS215 which will be explained later.

On the other hand, if the specified display color is different from theerror color (S205: NO), the CPU 311 judges whether the specified displaycolor is identical with a “warning color” (e.g. yellow) which has beenpreviously specified as a background color of the Web pages and thescreen 32 of the printer 3 for indicating the occurrence of the warningstate (S210). If the specified display color is identical with thewarning color (S210: YES), the CPU 311 sets a display style (e.g. ablinking mode) that is different from a display style previouslyspecified for indicating the occurrence of the error state or thewarning state (e.g. single color filling) to the temporary parameter(S215) and advances to step S235 which will be explained later.Incidentally, in cases where the error color used on the screen 32 isdifferent from the error color used on the Web pages, the display colorspecified by the temporary parameter may be considered to be identicalwith the error color in step S205 if the specified display color isidentical with either of the two error colors. Similarly, in cases wherethe warning color used on the screen 32 is different from the warningcolor used on the Web pages, the display color specified by thetemporary parameter may be considered to be identical with the warningcolor in the step S210 if the specified display color is identical witheither of the two warning colors.

On the other hand, if the specified display color is different from thewarning color (S210: NO), the CPU 311 refers to the specifiedinformation which has been stored in the RAM 313 in the aforementionedinformation acquisition process and thereby judges whether the specifieddisplay color is identical with a display color being used by anotherprinter (S220).

If the specified display color is identical with a display color used byanother printer (S220: YES), the CPU 311 instructs the PC 2 to display adialog indicating that the specified display color is identical with adisplay color used by another printer (S225).

When cancellation of the specified display color is selected by the userof the PC 2 seeing the dialog (S225: CANCEL), the update process of FIG.7 is ended immediately.

When reselection of the display color is requested by the user of the PC2 seeing the dialog (S225: RESELECTION), the CPU 311 instructs the PC 2to display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for letting the userreselect the display color (S230). After the display color is reselected(specified) by the user of the PC 2, the process returns to theaforementioned step S205.

When confirmation of the specified display color is selected by the userof the PC 2 seeing the dialog, that is, when the user intentionallyconfirms the display color being already used by another printer (S225:OK), the process advances to step S235 which will be explained later.

In the step S220, if the specified display color is different fromdisplay colors being used by other printers (S220: NO), the CPU 311determines (finalizes) the specified display color as the display colorspecified by the temporary parameter, that is, finally specifies thedisplay color in the temporary parameter (S235).

Subsequently, the CPU 311 judges whether a display style is specified bythe temporary parameter (S240). If no display style is specified by thetemporary parameter (S240: NO), the process directly advances to stepS265 which will be explained later.

On the other hand, if a display style is specified by the temporaryparameter (S240: YES), the CPU 311 refers to the “specified information”which has been stored in the RAM 313 in the aforementioned informationacquisition process and thereby judges whether the combination of thespecified display color and display style is identical with thecombination of a display color and a display style being used by anotherprinter (S245).

If the combination of the specified display color and display style isidentical with the combination of a display color and a display stylebeing used by another printer (S245: YES), the CPU 311 instructs the PC2 to display a dialog indicating that the specified display style isidentical with a display style used by another printer (S250).

When cancellation of the specified display style is selected by the userof the PC 2 seeing the dialog (S250: CANCEL), the update process of FIG.7 is ended immediately.

When reselection of the display style is requested by the user of the PC2 seeing the dialog (S250: RESELECTION), the CPU 311 instructs the PC 2to display a GUI for letting the user reselect the display style (S255).After the display style is reselected (specified) by the user of the PC2, the process returns to the aforementioned step S245.

When confirmation of the specified display style is selected by the userof the PC 2 seeing the dialog, that is, when the user intentionallyconfirms the combination of the display color and the display stylebeing already used by another printer (S250: OK), the process advancesto step S260 which will be explained later.

In the step S245, if the combination of the specified display color anddisplay style is different from combinations being used by otherprinters (S245: NO), the CPU 311 determines (finalizes) the specifieddisplay style as the display style specified by the temporary parameter,that is, finally specifies the display style in the temporary parameter(5260).

Subsequently, the CPU 311 compares a display parameter stored in aparameter setting area of the nonvolatile memory 314 with the temporaryparameter and thereby judges whether there is a change in the displayparameter, that is, whether the display parameter stored in theparameter setting area is different from the temporary parameter (S265).The parameter setting area is a storage area reserved in the nonvolatilememory 314 for storing the display parameter specifying the displaycolor and the display style to be set to the background of the screen32. The display unit 317 controls the screen 32 according to the displayparameter stored in the parameter setting area, by which the backgroundof the screen 32 is displayed in the display color and the display stylespecified by the display parameter.

Incidentally, while the parameter setting area is reserved in thenonvolatile memory 314 in the printer 3 so that the display on thescreen 32 after each restart of the printer 3 will be the same as thatimmediately before the restart, it is also possible to temporarily copythe display parameter stored in the nonvolatile memory 314 into the RAM313 and use the display parameter in the RAM 313 for processes. In caseswhere the equality in the display before and after the restart is notrequired, it is unnecessary to use the nonvolatile memory 314.

If there is no change in the display parameter (S265: NO), the updateprocess of FIG. 7 is ended immediately. If there is a change in thedisplay parameter (S265: YES), the CPU 311 updates the display parameterstored in the parameter setting area by storing the temporary parameterin the parameter setting area (S270), transmits a screen file in theHTML format incorporating the updated display parameter to the PC 2 soas to let the PC 2 display a screen in which the aforementioned displaycolor and display style of Web pages (specifically, the display colorand display style of the background of the status display frame 62) havebeen updated (S275), and ends the update process of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of a table stored in thenonvolatile memory 314 or the RAM 313 to be used for the update process,in which the display parameter, an operation color, the warning colorand the error color regarding each printer are stored.

As shown in FIG. 9, each printer is identified in the table by a serialnumber. The table stores the display parameter, the operation color, thewarning color and the error color regarding each printer. In FIG. 9,“ABC1234” is the serial number of the printer 3, “ABC1238” is the serialnumber of the printer 4, and “ABC1111” is the serial number of anotherprinter (not shown). IP addresses, MAC addresses, etc. may also be used,instead of the serial numbers, for the identification of the printers.However, the use of serial numbers or MAC addresses (which are neverchanged) is advantageous since the use of the same number/address fortwo or more printers can be avoided. Incidentally, the table may beprepared in various ways as long as necessary information is understoodby the CPU 311 of each printer. For example, the table may be storedseparately in regard to each printer, or separated in regard to thedisplay color and/or display style.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a link display processwhich is executed by the CPU 311 of the printer 3. The CPU 311 executesthe link display process when a link being displayed on a Web page isselected by the user of the PC 2 and a URL in HTTP specifying the link(a Web page) is received from the PC 2.

As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 311 first obtains an HTML file forreproducing the Web page specified by the received URL from thenonvolatile memory 314, or dynamically generates the HTML file (S500).Thereafter, the CPU 311 incorporates the display parameter stored in theparameter setting area into the HTML file and transmits the HTML file(in which the display parameter has been incorporated) to the PC 2 byHTTP (S510) and ends the link display process of FIG. 10.

By the above process, the background of the linked Web page can be setin the same display color and display style as the background of thescreen 32 of the printer 3 as shown in FIG. 11, for example. FIG. 11 isan explanatory drawing showing an example of a Web page which isdisplayed when a link “Print Setting” is selected (e.g. clicked) on thescreen of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a screen setting processwhich is executed by the CPU 311 of the printer 3. The CPU 311 executesthe screen setting process at preset time intervals.

As shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 311 first judges whether the operationswitches are being operated (during external operation) or were lastoperated within a prescribed time period (ten seconds in the firstillustrative embodiment) (S300). If the operation switches are inoperation or were operated within the prescribed time period (S300: NO),the CPU 311 changes the display color in the display parameter (thedisplay color specified by the display parameter, that is, a part of thedisplay parameter specifying a display color) stored in the parametersetting area of the RAM 313 into “orange” (i.e. the operation color) asshown in FIG. 12A (S305), and thereafter advances to step S330 whichwill be explained later.

On the other hand, if the operation switches are not in operation andthe prescribed time period has passed since the operation switches wereoperated (S300: YES), the CPU 311 judges whether the error state isdetected by checking the status of each part of the printer 3 (S310). Ifthe error state is detected (S310: YES), the CPU 311 changes the displaycolor in the display parameter stored in the parameter setting area into“red” (i.e. the error color) as shown in FIG. 12C (S315), and thereafteradvances to the step S330 which will be explained later.

On the other hand, if the error state is not detected (S310: NO), theCPU 311 judges whether the warning state is detected (S320). If thewarning state is detected (S320: YES), the CPU 311 changes the displaycolor in the display parameter stored in the parameter setting area into“yellow” (i.e. the warning color) as shown in FIG. 12B (S325) whilechanging the display style in the display parameter (the display stylespecified by the display parameter, that is, a part of the displayparameter specifying a display style) stored in the parameter settingarea into the “single color filling” (S330), and thereafter advances tostep S340 which will be explained later.

On the other hand, if the warning state is not detected (S320: NO), theCPU 311 compares the display color and display style that has been setfor the screen 32 (i.e. the display parameter stored in the parametersetting area) with a temporary parameter (a display parameter indicatingthe display color and display style at the start of the screen settingprocess) stored in the temporary storage area and thereby judges whetherthe display parameter has been changed, that is, whether the displayparameter is different from the temporary parameter (S335). If thedisplay parameter has not been changed (S335: NO), the screen settingprocess of FIG. 8 is ended.

On the other hand, if the display parameter has been changed (S335:YES), the CPU 311 changes the display pattern 32 of the screen 32according to the display parameter stored in the parameter setting area(S340), transmits a screen file in the HTML format incorporating theupdated display parameter to the PC 2 so as to let the PC 2 display ascreen in which the aforementioned display color and display style ofWeb pages (specifically, the display color and display style of thebackground of the status display frame 62) have been updated (S345), andends the screen setting process of FIG. 8. Incidentally, FIGS. 12D, 12Eand 12F are explanatory drawings showing examples of screens displayedon the display 22 of the PC 2 by this process.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a PC-side screensetting process which is executed by the CPU 211 of the PC 2. The CPU211 executes the PC-side screen setting process when a screen file inthe HTML format is received from the printer 3.

As shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 211 receives a screen file in the HTMLformat from the printer 3 (S600), displays a Web page screen accordingto the received screen file in the HTML format (S610), and ends thePC-side screen setting process of FIG. 13. By the process, a Web pagehaving a background in the same display color and display style as thebackground of the screen 32 of the printer 3 can be displayed by the PC2.

To summarize the above explanation of the printing system 1 of the firstillustrative embodiment referring to FIG. 14, for example, when theprinter 3 is designated as the operation target of the PC 2, the CPU 211of the PC 2 transmits the Web page update request and the displayparameter specifying the selected display color and/or display style tothe printer 3 (1). The CPU 311 of the printer 3 changes the displayparameter set to the printer 3 according to the display parameterreceived from the PC 2 and thereby lets the display unit 317 change thedisplay pattern of the background of the screen 32 according to thechanged display parameter (2) while transmitting a screen file in theHTML format (in which the same display parameter has been incorporated)to the PC 2 (3). The CPU 211 of the PC 2 updates the Web browser screen6 and thereby changes the display pattern of the background of thestatus display frame 62 according to the screen file in the HTML formatreceived from the printer 3. Incidentally, FIG. 14 is an explanatorydrawing schematically showing the operation of the PC 2 and the printer3 in the printing system 1 of the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the printing system 1 of the first illustrativeembodiment, even when the printers 3 and 4 are of the same type (model),a display pattern identical with that of the background of the statusdisplay frame 62 of the Web browser screen 6 displayed by the PC 2 isset to the background of the screen 32 of the printer 3 as shown in FIG.15, by which the user of the PC 2 can recognize at a glance that theprinter 3 is the printer designated as the operation target.Incidentally, FIG. 15 is an explanatory drawing showing the effect ofthe printing system 1 in accordance with the first illustrativeembodiment.

As described above, with the printing system 1 in accordance with thefirst illustrative embodiment, the user of the PC 2 is allowed torecognize the printer designated as the operation target of the PC 2 ata glance even when printers of the same type (model) are connected tothe network 5.

On the Web browser screen 6 which is displayed on the display 22 of thePC 2, the background of the status display frame 62 (for displaying thestatus information on a printer) is regarded as the target of thedisplay pattern setting in the printing system 1 of the firstillustrative embodiment, by which the user of the PC 2 can recognize theprinter designated as the operation target of the PC 2 at a glance whileoperating the printer or checking the status of the printer on the Webbrowser screen 6.

In each printer (3, 4) in the printing system 1 of the firstillustrative embodiment, the background of the screen (32, 42) havingsufficiently high viewability for displaying the status information onthe printer is regarded as the target of the display pattern setting, bywhich the user of each printer (3, 4) can check the status of theprinter with high viewability while easily recognizing the printerdesignated as the operation target of the PC 2.

The status display frame 62 on the Web browser screen 6 displayed by thePC 2 of the printing system 1 of the first illustrative embodiment isprovided with the list boxes 621 and 622, by which the user of the PC 2is allowed to select desired display patterns.

Even when a display pattern identical with a display pattern being usedby a printer other than the operation target of the PC 2 is selected forthe operation target printer (the printer designated as the operationtarget of the PC 2) in the printing system 1 of the first illustrativeembodiment, a different display pattern is set to the screen of theoperation target printer and to the status display frame 62 of the Webbrowser screen 6 displayed by the PC 2, by which the user can beprevented from erroneously recognizing a different printer as theoperation target printer.

Similarly, even when a display color identical with the display colorindicating the occurrence of the error state or warning state isselected for the operation target printer (the printer designated as theoperation target of the PC 2) in the printing system 1 of the firstillustrative embodiment, the display pattern for the operation targetprinter is set at a display style different from the display styleindicating the error state or warning state, by which the user isprevented from erroneously recognizing the display pattern that has beenset for indicating the occurrence of the error state or warning state asthe display pattern that has been set for identifying the operationtarget printer. Further, even in case where the error state or warningstate occurs to a printer other than the operation target printer whenthe user (who has selected the display color for the error state orwarning state as the display color for the operation target printer) isabout to recognize the operation target printer, the user is preventedfrom erroneously recognizing the printer in the error state or warningstate as the operation target printer.

When the error state, the warning state or the external operation state(in which the operation switches of the printer are being operated)occurs to a printer (3, 4) in the printing system 1 of the firstillustrative embodiment, a display pattern corresponding to the state isset to the screen (32, 42) of the printer (3, 4), by which the user canrecognize the occurrence of the error state, warning state or externaloperation state to a printer at a glance.

Further, when the error state, the warning state or the externaloperation state ends in a printer (3, 4) in the printing system 1 of thefirst illustrative embodiment, the display pattern which has been set tothe screen (32, 42) depending on the state is canceled, by which theuser can recognize the ending of the error state, warning state orexternal operation state of the printer at a glance.

Second Illustrative Embodiment

In the following, a printing system 1A as an operation targetidentification system in accordance with a second illustrativeembodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

The printing system 1A of the second illustrative embodiment differsfrom the printing system 1 of the first illustrative embodiment in thesettings of the printers 3 and 4, and thus the difference from the firstillustrative embodiment will be explained below in detail while omittingrepeated explanation of elements in common with the first illustrativeembodiment.

In the PC 2 of the printing system 1A of the second illustrativeembodiment, an application program for operating the printers 3 and 4 bySNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is installed instead of theWeb browser program in the first illustrative embodiment. In theprinters 3 and 4 of the printing system 1A of the second illustrativeembodiment, an agent program for receiving the operation from theapplication program by SNMP is installed instead of the Web serverprogram in the first illustrative embodiment.

In the second illustrative embodiment, the information acquisitionprocess and the update process explained in the first illustrativeembodiment are executed by the PC 2, while the information transmissionprocess and the screen setting process explained in the firstillustrative embodiment are executed by the printers 3 and 4.

After activating the aforementioned application program, the CPU 211 ofthe PC 2 displays a selection screen, on which the model names, serialnumbers and IP addresses of the printers 3 and 4 are indicated as shownin FIG. 18, on the display 22 based on information obtained and storedpreviously or information newly obtained by the information acquisitionprocess.

When one of the printers 3 and 4 is selected from the selection screenby use of the keyboard 23 or the mouse as the operation target of the PC2, the CPU 211 displays an operation screen similar to theaforementioned status display frame 62 (see FIG. 18) on the display 22based on information obtained and stored previously or information newlyobtained by the information acquisition process.

When a display color or a display style is selected from the operationscreen, the CPU 211 executes the aforementioned update process.

Incidentally, the information acquisition process in the secondillustrative embodiment is slightly different from the informationacquisition process in the first illustrative embodiment as follows.First, the information acquisition process in the second illustrativeembodiment is executed not by the CPU 311 of the printer 3 but by theCPU 211 of the PC 2.

Second, not only the “specified information” specified in the firstillustrative embodiment but also information about the “operation color”indicating the external operation state of each printer, the “errorcolor” indicating the error state of each printer and the “warningcolor” indicating the warning state of each printer is requested as the“specified information” by the transmission request broadcasted in theinformation acquisition process of the second illustrative embodiment.

Third, the CPU 211 executes the information acquisition processsimultaneously with the activation of the application program, andthereafter executes the information acquisition process periodically orproperly when information on the printers has become necessary.

The information transmission process in the second illustrativeembodiment is a process similar to the information transmission processin the first illustrative embodiment. In the second illustrativeembodiment, each printer (3, 4) transmits the information specified bythe PC 2 as the specified information to the PC 2.

The update process in the second illustrative embodiment differs fromthe update process in the first illustrative embodiment as follows.First, the update process in the second illustrative embodiment isexecuted not by the CPU 311 of the printer 3 but by the CPU 211 of thePC 2. The CPU 211 executes the update process when a display color isspecified on the operation screen by use of the keyboard 23 or themouse.

In the step S200 in FIG. 7, the CPU 211 judges whether a display colorhas been specified on the operation screen by use of the keyboard 23 orthe mouse. In the second illustrative embodiment, the “temporaryparameter” means a display parameter that is specified on the operationscreen, and the “temporary storage area” means a storage area reservedin the RAM 213 for temporarily storing the display parameter.

In the step S205, the CPU 211 judges whether the specified display coloris identical with the previously obtained “error color” indicating theerror state of the printer designated as the operation target of the PC2.

In the step S210, the CPU 211 judges whether the specified display coloris identical with the previously obtained “warning color” indicating thewarning state of the printer designated as the operation target of thePC 2.

Incidentally, in cases where an error color used by the applicationprogram for indicating the error state is different from the error colorused by the printer, the specified display color may be considered to beidentical with the error color in the step S205 if the specified displaycolor is identical with either of the two error colors. Similarly, incases where a warning color used by the application program forindicating the warning state is different from the warning color used bythe printer, the specified display color may be considered to beidentical with the warning color in the step S210 if the specifieddisplay color is identical with either of the two warning colors.

In the step S220, the CPU 211 judges whether the specified display coloris identical with a display color being used by a printer other than theprinter designated as the operation target of the PC 2 based on thepreviously obtained information. In the step S240, the CPU 211 judgeswhether a display style has been specified on the operation screen byuse of the keyboard 23 or the mouse. In the step S245, the CPU 211judges whether the specified display style is identical with a displaystyle being used by a printer other than the printer designated as theoperation target of the PC 2 based on the previously obtainedinformation.

In the step S265, the CPU 211 compares the previously obtained displaycolor and display style being used by the operation target printer (theprinter designated as the operation target of the PC 2) with thetemporary parameter (at this point) and thereby judges whether there isa change in the display parameter. In the step S270, the CPU 211 changesthe display color and display style of the background of the operationscreen into those specified by the temporary parameter. In the stepS275, the CPU 211 transmits the changed display parameter to theoperation target printer according to SNMP.

As shown in FIG. 16, the CPU of the operation target printer (the CPU311 of the printer 3 in this illustrative embodiment) receives thedisplay parameter from the PC 2 according to SNMP (S800) and sets thedisplay pattern of the screen 32 in the display color and display stylecorresponding to the received display parameter (S810). Incidentally,FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a printer-side screensetting process which is executed by the CPU 311 of the printer 3.

The link display process in the second illustrative embodiment differsfrom the link display process in the first illustrative embodiment asfollows. First, the link display process in the second illustrativeembodiment is executed not by the CPU 311 of the printer 3 but by theCPU 211 of the PC 2. In the step S500 in FIG. 10, the CPU 211 obtains alink operation screen stored in the HDD 214 of the PC 2. In the stepS510, the CPU 211 changes the display color and display style of thebackground of the link operation screen into those specified by thetemporary parameter (display parameter).

The screen setting process in the second illustrative embodiment isslightly different from the screen setting process in the firstillustrative embodiment as follows. In the step S345 in FIG. 8, the CPU311 of the printer 3 transmits the updated display parameter (thedisplay parameter changed in S340) to the PC 2 according to SNMP. ThePC-side screen setting process in the first illustrative embodiment doesnot exist in the second illustrative embodiment.

To summarize the above explanation of the printing system 1A of thesecond illustrative embodiment referring to FIG. 17, for example, whenan operation for changing the display pattern of the background isperformed on the operation screen displayed by the PC 2 in the casewhere the printer 3 has been designated as the operation target of thePC 2 (1), the CPU 211 of the PC 2 changes the display pattern of thebackground of the operation screen (2) while transmitting a settinginstruction (requesting the printer 3 to set the changed display patternthereto) to the printer 3 (3). The CPU 311 of the printer 3 lets thedisplay unit 317 change the display pattern of the background of thescreen 32 according to the setting instruction (4). Incidentally, FIG.17 is an explanatory drawing schematically showing the operation of thePC 2 and the printer 3 in the printing system 1A of the secondillustrative embodiment.

Therefore, in the printing system 1A of the second illustrativeembodiment, even when the printers 3 and 4 are of the same type (model),a display pattern identical with that of the background of the operationscreen displayed by the PC 2 is set to the background of the screen 32of the printer 3 as shown in FIG. 18, by which the user of the PC 2 canrecognize at a glance that the printer 3 is the printer designated asthe operation target. Incidentally, FIG. 18 is an explanatory drawingshowing the effect of the printing system 1A in accordance with thesecond illustrative embodiment.

As described above, the printing system 1A of the second illustrativeembodiment achieves effects similar to those of the printing system 1 ofthe first illustrative embodiment.

Third Illustrative Embodiment

In the following, a printing system 1B as an operation targetidentification system in accordance with a third illustrative embodimentof the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the printing system 1B inaccordance with the third illustrative embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19,the printing system 1B of the third illustrative embodiment is formed byconnecting a server 7 to the network 5 in the printing system 1 of thefirst illustrative embodiment.

In the printing system 1B of the third illustrative embodiment, thesettings of the PC 2 and the printers 3 and 4 are different from thosein the first illustrative embodiment. Therefore, the difference from thefirst illustrative embodiment will be explained below in detail whileomitting repeated explanation of elements in common with the firstembodiment.

In the printers 3 and 4 of the printing system 1B of the thirdillustrative embodiment, an agent program for receiving operations froman application program according to SNMP is installed instead of the Webserver program in the first illustrative embodiment.

In the third illustrative embodiment, the information acquisitionprocess and the update process explained in the first illustrativeembodiment are executed by the server 7, while the informationtransmission process and the screen setting process explained in thefirst illustrative embodiment are executed by the printers 3 and 4.

When an IP address or a URL (specifying a node name) of the server 7 isreceived through the keyboard 23 or the mouse, the CPU 211 of the PC 2activates the Web browser program. In the case where a URL is received,the CPU 211 inquires of a DNS server about an IP address correspondingto the inputted URL (i.e. the IP address of the server 7) according toHTTP, obtains the IP address from the DNS server, and transmits arequest for a Web page to the obtained IP address as the destination(i.e. the server 7). In the case where an IP address is received, theCPU 211 transmits the request for the Web page to the received IPaddress as the destination (i.e. the server 7). In response to therequest, the server 7 generates an HTML file of a “selection screen” (onwhich the model names, serial numbers and IP addresses of the printers 3and 4 are indicated) based on information obtained and stored previouslyor information newly obtained by the information acquisition process,and transmits the generated HTML file to the PC 2 by HTTP. The PC 2receiving the HTML file from the server 7 displays a Web page accordingto the HTML file (the selection screen) on a Web browser screen beingdisplayed on the display 22 (see FIG. 22).

When one of the printers 3 and 4 is designated on the selection screenas the operation target of the PC 2 by use of the keyboard 23 or themouse, the CPU 211 transmits a request for a Web page (an operationscreen for operating the designated printer) to the server 7. Inresponse to the request, the server 7 generates an HTML file of theoperation screen for operating the designated printer based oninformation obtained and stored previously or information newly obtainedby the information acquisition process, and transmits the generated HTMLfile to the PC 2 by HTTP.

The PC 2 receiving the HTML file displays a Web page according to theHTML file on the Web browser screen being displayed on the display 22.Incidentally, the Web browser screen in the third illustrativeembodiment is totally the same as that in the first illustrativeembodiment (see FIG. 22).

When a display color or a display style is selected on the Web browserscreen, the CPU 211 of the PC 2 transmits a Web page update request tothe server 7 together with a display parameter specifying the selecteddisplay color or display style.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the internal composition of theserver 7. As shown in FIG. 20, the server 7 includes a CPU 71 forexecuting various processes to be performed by the server 7, a ROM 72storing data such as a startup program (BIOS) which is run by the CPU 71at the startup of the server 7, a RAM 73 which is used as a storage areawhen the CPU 71 executes various processes, an HDD 74 storing data (e.g.an operating system, a Web server program for letting the server 7function as a Web server, an application program for operating theprinters 3 and 4 by SNMP, and programs for various processes to beexecuted by the CPU 71), an input I/F 75 for the inputting of inputsignals (supplied from a keyboard (not shown), mouse (not shown), etc.connected to the server 7) to the CPU 71, a video I/F 76 for letting anot shown display (connected to the server 7) display screens accordingto instructions from the CPU 71, and a network I/F 77 which is connectedto the network 5 for connecting the CPU 71 with other devices connectedto the network 5.

In the server 7, the above components are connected together by a signalbus 78. The CPU 71 of the server 7 activates the application program atthe startup of the server 7 or after the startup. The informationacquisition process in the third illustrative embodiment differs fromthe information acquisition process in the first illustrative embodimentas follows. First, the information acquisition process in the thirdillustrative embodiment is executed not by the CPU 311 of the printer 3but by the CPU 71 of the server 7.

Second, not only the “specified information” specified in the firstillustrative embodiment but also information about the “operation color”indicating the external operation state of each printer, the “errorcolor” indicating the error state of each printer and the “warningcolor” indicating the warning state of each printer is requested as the“specified information” by the transmission request broadcasted in theinformation acquisition process of the second illustrative embodiment.

Third, the CPU 71 executes the information acquisition processsimultaneously with the activation of the application program, andthereafter executes the information acquisition process periodically orproperly when information on the printers has become necessary.

The information transmission process in the third illustrativeembodiment is a process similar to the information transmission processin the first illustrative embodiment. In the third illustrativeembodiment, each printer (3, 4) transmits the information specified bythe server 7 as the specified information to the server 7.

The update process in the third illustrative embodiment differs from theupdate process in the first illustrative embodiment as follows. First,the update process in the third illustrative embodiment is executed notby the CPU 311 of the printer 3 but by the CPU 71 of the server 7. The“temporary storage area” in the third illustrative embodiment means astorage area reserved in the RAM 73 for temporarily storing the displayparameter. The CPU 71 executes the update process when theaforementioned Web page update request is received from the PC 2.

In the step S200 in FIG. 7, the CPU 71 judges whether a display color isspecified by the display parameter attached to the Web page updaterequest received from the PC 2. In the step S205, the CPU 71 judgeswhether the specified display color is identical with the previouslyobtained “error color” indicating the error state of the printerdesignated as the operation target of the PC 2. In the step S210, theCPU 71 judges whether the specified display color is identical with thepreviously obtained “warning color” indicating the warning state of theprinter designated as the operation target of the PC 2.

Incidentally, in cases where an error color used on Web pages forindicating the error state is different from the error color used by theprinter, the specified display color may be considered to be identicalwith the error color in the step S205 if the specified display color isidentical with either of the two error colors. Similarly, in cases wherea warning color used on Web pages for indicating the warning state isdifferent from the warning color used by the printer, the specifieddisplay color may be considered to be identical with the warning colorin the step S210 if the specified display color is identical with eitherof the two warning colors.

In the step S220, the CPU 71 judges whether the specified display coloris identical with a display color being used by a printer other than theprinter designated as the operation target of the PC 2 based on thepreviously obtained information. In the step S240, the CPU 71 judgeswhether a display style has been specified by the temporary parameter(at this point).

In the step S245, the CPU 71 judges whether the specified display styleis identical with a display style being used by a printer other than theprinter designated as the operation target of the PC 2 based on thepreviously obtained information.

In the step S265, the CPU 71 compares the previously obtained displaycolor and display style being used by the operation target printer (theprinter designated as the operation target of the PC 2) with thetemporary parameter (at this point) and thereby judges whether there isa change in the display parameter.

In the step S270, the CPU 71 updates the display parameter for theoperation target printer according to the temporary parameter at thispoint, and transmits a screen file in the HTML format incorporating theupdated display parameter to the PC 2.

In the step S275, the CPU 71 transmits the updated display parameter tothe operation target printer according to SNMP. The CPU of the operationtarget printer sets the display color and display style of its screen byexecuting a printer-side screen setting process similar to theprinter-side screen setting process in the second illustrativeembodiment (see FIG. 16). Incidentally, in the step S800 of theprinter-side screen setting process in the third illustrativeembodiment, the operation target printer receives the display parameterfrom the server 7 according to SNMP.

The link display process in the third illustrative embodiment differsfrom the link display process in the first illustrative embodiment asfollows. First, the link display process in the third illustrativeembodiment is executed not by the CPU 311 of the printer 3 but by theCPU 71 of the server 7. In the step S500 in FIG. 10, the CPU 71 obtainsa link HTML file stored in the HDD 74 of the server 7, or dynamicallygenerates the link HTML file.

The screen setting process in the third illustrative embodiment differsfrom the screen setting process in the first illustrative embodiment asfollows. In the step S345 in FIG. 8, the CPU 311 of the printer 3transmits the updated display parameter to the server 7 according toSNMP.

The PC-side screen setting process in the third illustrative embodimentis a process similar to the PC-side screen setting process in the firstillustrative embodiment (see FIG. 13). In the third illustrativeembodiment, the PC 2 displays a Web page screen according to the screenfile in the HTML format received from the server 7.

To summarize the above explanation of the printing system 1B of thethird illustrative embodiment referring to FIG. 21, for example, whenthe printer 3 is designated as the operation target of the PC 2, the CPU211 of the PC 2 transmits the Web page update request and the displayparameter specifying the selected display color and/or display style tothe server 7 (1). The CPU 71 of the server 7 transmits a settinginstruction (requesting the printer 3 to set the display patternspecified by the display parameter thereto) to the printer 3 (2). TheCPU 311 of the printer 3 receiving the setting instruction lets thedisplay unit 317 change the display pattern of the background of thescreen 32 according to the setting instruction (3).

Meanwhile, the CPU 71 of the server 7 updates the display parameter forthe printer 3 (already set to the server 7) according to the displayparameter received from the PC 2, and transmits a screen file in theHTML format (in which the same display parameter has been incorporated)to the PC 2 (4). The CPU 211 of the PC 2 receiving the screen file inthe HTML format from the server 7 updates the display pattern of thebackground of the status display frame 62 on the Web browser screenaccording to the received screen file. Incidentally, FIG. 21 is anexplanatory drawing schematically showing the operation of the PC 2, theprinter 3 and the server 7 in the printing system 1B of the thirdillustrative embodiment.

Therefore, in the printing system 1B of the third illustrativeembodiment, even when the printers 3 and 4 are of the same type (model),a display pattern identical with that of the background of the statusdisplay frame 62 on the Web browser screen displayed by the PC 2 is setto the background of the screen 32 of the printer 3 as shown in FIG. 22,by which the user of the PC 2 can recognize at a glance that the printer3 is the printer designated as the operation target. Incidentally, FIG.22 is an explanatory drawing showing the effect of the printing system1B in accordance with the third illustrative embodiment.

As described above, the printing system 1B of the third illustrativeembodiment achieves effects similar to those of the printing system 1 ofthe first illustrative embodiment.

While a description has been given above of illustrative embodiments inaccordance with the present invention, the present invention is not tobe restricted by the particular illustrative embodiments and a varietyof modifications, design changes, etc. are possible without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the present invention described in theappended claims.

For example, while LCDs are employed as the screens 32 and 42 of theprinters 3 and 4 in the above illustrative embodiments, display devicesof other types capable color display, such as FEDs (Field EmissionDisplays), SEDs (Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Displays) and EL(ElectroLuminescence) displays, may of course be used as the screens 32and 42 of the printers 3 and 4. It is also possible to employ lightsources of different colors (e.g. LEDs) instead of the screen (32, 42)of each printer (3, 4) and turn on a light source of a color identicalwith that of the background of the operation screen or the statusdisplay frame 62 on the Web browser screen 6.

While the present invention is applied to printers in the aboveillustrative embodiments, the present invention can be applied to anydevices connectable to a network, such as MFPs (Multi FunctionPeripherals) connectable to a network, scanners connectable to anetwork, AV (AudioVisual) devices connectable to a network, routers,etc.

The “Web browser program” collectively called in the above illustrativeembodiments may either be a program implementing a Web browser only or aprogram implementing a Web browser functioning in cooperation with a CGIprogram, etc. By the cooperation with a CGI program, a Web browser thatthe user has got used to can be customized to suit the present inventionwithout the need of replacing it with a different Web browser.

While whether both the display color and display style are identicalwith those of another printer is judged in the above illustrativeembodiments, the judgment may also be made only for the display color orthe display style. The judgment on the display style may be left out atthe point when the display color is judged to be identical with that ofanother printer, or the judgment on the display color may be left out atthe point when the display style is judged to be identical with that ofanother printer. It is also possible to judge whether the blinking modeis identical with that of another printer. By employing the blinkingmode or the display style for the discrimination of the operation targetprinter from other printers, a system offering high usability also tousers having difficulty in color identification can be realized.

The discrimination of the operation target printer from other printersemploying the display color only is practically limited to ten—oddprinters at most due to the limitation of human's color identificationability; however, the number of discriminable printers can be increasedby employing a combination of display elements.

While the update of the display parameter in each printer (3, 4) in thescreen setting process (FIG. 8) is also incorporated into the display ofthe PC 2 by letting the printer (3, 4) transmit an HTML file (screenfile) incorporating the updated display parameter to the PC 2 (S345) inthe first embodiment, the incorporation of update may also beimplemented by letting the printer (3, 4) report the update of itsstatus to the PC 2 according to HTTP so as to let the PC 2 recognize thestatus and incorporate the status into its display.

While the update of the display parameter in each printer (3, 4) in thescreen setting process is also incorporated into the display of the PC 2by letting the printer (3, 4) transmit (report) the updated displayparameter to the PC 2 according to SNMP (S345) in the secondillustrative embodiment, the incorporation of update may also beimplemented by letting the printer (3, 4) report the update of itsstatus to the PC 2 according to SNMP so as to let the PC 2 recognize thestatus and incorporate the status into its display.

While the update of the display parameter in each printer (3, 4) in thescreen setting process is also incorporated into the display of the PC 2by letting the server 7 transmit an HTML file (screen file)incorporating the updated display parameter to the PC 2 in the thirdillustrative embodiment, the incorporation of update may also beimplemented by letting the printer (3, 4) or the server 7 report theupdate of the status of the printer (3, 4) to the PC 2 according toSNMP, HTTP, etc. so as to let the PC 2 recognize the status andincorporate the status into its display.

In this case, the CPU 211 of the PC 2 executes a PC-side screen settingprocess shown in FIG. 23. The CPU 211 executes the PC-side screensetting process when the status of a printer (3, 4) is received from theprinter (3, 4) or the server 7.

As shown in FIG. 23, the CPU 211 of the PC 2 first receives the status(representing the external operation state, warning state, error state,etc.) of a printer (3, 4) from the printer (3, 4) or the server 7(S700). Subsequently, the CPU 211 judges whether the received status isdifferent from the previous status of the printer (S720). If thereceived status is identical with the previous status (S720: NO), thePC-side screen setting process of FIG. 23 is ended. If the receivedstatus is different from the previous status (S720: YES), the CPU 211changes the display color and display style of the background of theoperation screen of the application program or the Web page displayed onthe display 22 into those corresponding to the received status (S720)and ends the PC-side screen setting process.

Instead of the above method letting each printer (3, 4) or the server 7actively report the change (update) in the display parameter or thestatus to the PC 2 in the screen setting process, it is also possible tolet the PC 2 periodically inquire of each printer (3, 4) or the server 7about the change in the display parameter or the status in order tocollect the information from the printers 3 and 4 or the server 7.

The method letting each printer (3, 4) or the server 7 actively reportthe change in the display parameter or the status to the PC 2 has anadvantage in that a change in the display by a printer (3, 4) canimmediately be incorporated into the display by the PC 2.

Meanwhile, the method letting the PC 2 periodically inquire of eachprinter (3, 4) or the server 7 about the change in the display parameteror the status has an advantage in that the communication loads on the PC2, the printers 3 and 4, the network 5 and the server 7 do not increasefrom those for packet communication for the periodical printer statuscheck widely employed in conventional systems.

1. An operation target identification system comprising: at least oneterminal device connected to a network, the at least one terminal devicehaving a first display; a plurality of devices connected to the network,each of the plurality of devices having a second display; and a serverconnected to the network at a point separate from the at least oneterminal device; wherein the at least one terminal device has a firstcontroller configured to: when a device is designated as an operationtarget and a display pattern is selected from a plurality of displaypatterns, send an update request over the network for updating anoperation screen corresponding to the selected display pattern to theserver; and when receiving display data from the server, update theoperation screen according to the display data, wherein the server has asecond controller configured to: receive, from each of the plurality ofdevices, information indicating a display pattern shown on its seconddisplay; generate data for enabling the at least one terminal device todisplay a list of the plurality of devices and transmit the generateddata to the at least one terminal device; when receiving the updaterequest, judge whether the selected display pattern of the designateddevice corresponds to one of the display patterns shown on the pluralityof devices other than the designated device based on the informationreceived from each of the plurality of devices; if it is judged that theselected display pattern of the designated device corresponds to one ofthe display patterns of the devices other than the designated device,send, to the at least one terminal, a screen indicating that theselected display pattern of the designated device corresponds to one ofthe display patterns of the devices other than the designated device,the screen further providing an option to reselect one of the displaypatterns; if it is judged that the selected display pattern of thedesignated device does not correspond to one of the display patterns ofthe devices other than the designated device, send designation data forupdating the selected display pattern to the device designated as theoperation target; generate the display data for displaying the operationscreen in accordance with the update request; and send the generateddisplay data for updating the operation screen to the selected displaypattern to the at least one terminal device over the network, whereinthe device corresponding to the operation target has a third controllerconfigured to: when receiving the designation data from the server,update the display pattern on the second display of the operation targetto the selected display pattern.
 2. The operation target identificationsystem according to claim 1, wherein the display pattern includes atleast one of a display color and a display style.
 3. The operationtarget identification system according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone terminal device includes a web browser for accessing HTML files. 4.The operation target identification system according to claim 1, whereinthe display data received by the at least one terminal device comprisesweb page data for displaying a web page and the web page is displayed onthe first display.
 5. The operation target identification systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the web page presents the plurality ofdevices as a list, and the first controller is further configured toaccept a selection from the list and to designate the operation targetbased on the selection.
 6. The operation target identification systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the web page contains at least one firstbutton for designating one of the plurality of devices and at least onesecond button for selecting a display style.
 7. The operation targetidentification system according to claim 1, wherein the secondcontroller of the server is further configured to: send the designationdata to the device designated as the operation target using a firstprotocol; and send the generated display data to the at least oneterminal device using a second protocol.
 8. The operation targetidentification system according to claim 7, wherein the first protocolis the Simple Network Management Protocol and the second protocol is theHypertext Transfer Protocol.
 9. A terminal device connected to a networkfor operating a plurality of devices connected to the network,comprising: a display; and a controller configured to: when a device isdesignated as an operation target and a display pattern is selected froma plurality of display patterns, send an update request over the networkfor updating an operation screen corresponding to the selected displaypattern to a server; and when receiving display data from the server,update the operation screen according to the display data, wherein theserver is connected to the network at a point separate from the terminaldevice, and wherein the server has a second controller configured to:receive, from each of the plurality of devices, information indicating adisplay pattern shown on its second display; generate data for enablingthe at least one terminal device to display a list of the plurality ofdevices and transmit the generated data to the at least one terminaldevice; when receiving the update request, judge whether the selecteddisplay pattern of the designated device corresponds to one of thedisplay patterns shown on the plurality of devices other than thedesignated device based on the information received from each of theplurality of devices; if it is judged that the selected display patternof the designated device corresponds to one of the display patterns ofthe devices other than the designated device, send, to the at least oneterminal, a screen indicating that the selected display pattern of thedesignated device corresponds to one of the display patterns of thedevices other than the designated device, the screen further providingan option to reselect one of the display patterns; if it is judged thatthe selected display pattern of the designated device does notcorrespond to one of the display patterns of the devices other than thedesignated device, send designation data for updating the selecteddisplay pattern to the device designated as the operation target;generate the display data for displaying the operation screen inaccordance with the update request; and send the generated display datafor updating the operation screen to the selected display pattern to theterminal device over the network, and wherein the device correspondingto the operation target has a third controller configured to: whenreceiving the designation data from the server, update the displaypattern on a second display of the operation target to the selecteddisplay pattern.
 10. The terminal device according to claim 9, whereinthe display pattern includes at least one of a display color and adisplay style.
 11. The terminal device of claim 9, wherein the terminaldevice comprises a web browser, wherein the display data received by theterminal device comprises web page data for displaying a web page on thedisplay, wherein the web page includes first buttons for designating theoperation target and second buttons for selecting a display style, andwherein the web browser transmits, to the server, information specifyingthe selected display style.
 12. A server connected to a networkincluding a plurality of devices and a terminal device operating thedevices, comprising: a controller configured to: receive, from each ofthe plurality of devices, information indicating a display pattern shownon its second display; generate data for enabling the terminal device todisplay a list of the plurality of devices and transmit the generateddata to the terminal device; when receiving an update request, judgewhether a selected display pattern of a designated device corresponds toone of the display patterns shown on the plurality of devices other thanthe designated device based on the information received from each of theplurality of devices; if it is judged that the selected display patternof the designated device corresponds to one of the display patterns ofthe devices other than the designated device, send, to the terminal, ascreen indicating that the selected display pattern of the designateddevice corresponds to one of the display patterns of the devices otherthan the designated device, the screen further providing an option toreselect one of the display patterns; if it is judged that the selecteddisplay pattern of the designated device does not correspond to one ofthe display patterns of the devices other than the designated device,send designation data for updating the selected display pattern to thedesignated device designated as an operation target; generate displaydata for displaying an operation screen in accordance with the updaterequest; and send the generated display data for updating the operationscreen to the selected display pattern to the terminal device over thenetwork, wherein the terminal device is connected at a point on thenetwork separate from the server and has a second controller configuredto: when a device is designated as an operation target and a displaypattern is selected from display patterns, send an update request overthe network for updating an operation screen corresponding to theselected display pattern to the server; and when receiving display datafrom the server, update the operation screen according to the displaydata, and wherein the device corresponding to the operation target has athird controller configured to: when receiving the designation data fromthe server, update the display pattern on a second display of theoperation target to the selected display pattern.
 13. The serveraccording to claim 12, wherein the display format includes at least oneof a display color and a display style.
 14. The server of claim 12,wherein the server receives, from the terminal device, informationspecifying a designated display style, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to transmit, to one of the plurality of devices, informationfor instructing the device to display a screen according to thedesignated display style.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable storagemedium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, whenexecuted by a processor, cause a terminal device, connected to a networkfor operating a plurality of devices connected to the network, to: whena device is designated as an operation target and a display pattern isselected from display patterns, send an update request for updating anoperation screen corresponding to the selected display pattern to aserver over the network; and when receiving display data from theserver, update the operation screen according to the display data,wherein the server is connected to the network at a point separate fromthe terminal device, and wherein the server has a second controllerconfigured to: receive, from each of the plurality of devices,information indicating a display pattern shown on its second display;generate data for enabling the terminal device to display a list of theplurality of devices and transmit the generated data to the terminaldevice; when receiving the update request, judge whether the selecteddisplay pattern of the designated device corresponds to one of thedisplay patterns shown on the plurality of devices other than thedesignated device based on the information received from each of theplurality of devices; if it is judged that the selected display patternof the designated device corresponds to one of the display patterns ofthe devices other than the designated device, send, to the terminal, ascreen indicating that the selected display pattern of the designateddevice corresponds to one of the display patterns of the devices otherthan the designated device, the screen further providing an option toreselect one of the display patterns; if it is judged that the selecteddisplay pattern of the designated device does not correspond to one ofthe display patterns of the devices other than the designated device,send designation data for updating the selected display pattern to thedevice designated as the operation target; generate the display data fordisplaying the operation screen in accordance with the update request;and send the generated display data for updating the operation screen tothe selected display pattern to the terminal device over the network,and wherein the device corresponding to the operation target has a thirdcontroller configured to: when receiving the designation data from theserver, update the display pattern on a second display of the operationtarget to the selected display pattern.
 16. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium according to claim 15, wherein the displayformat includes at least one of a display color and a display style. 17.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, thecomputer readable medium having additional instructions stored thereonthat, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal device to run aweb browser, wherein the display data received by the terminal devicecomprises web page data for displaying a web page on the display,wherein the web page includes first buttons for designating theoperation target and second buttons for selecting a display style, andwherein the web browser transmits, to the server, information specifyingthe selected display style.
 18. A non-transitory computer readablestorage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon thatwhen executed by a processor cause a server, connected to a networkincluding a plurality of devices and terminal device operating thedevices, to: receive, from each of the plurality of devices, informationindicating a display pattern shown on its second display; generate datafor enabling the terminal device to display a list of the plurality ofdevices and transmit the generated data to the terminal device; whenreceiving the update request, judge whether a selected display patternof a designated device corresponds to one of the display patterns shownon the plurality of devices other than the designated device based onthe information received from each of the plurality of devices; if it isjudged that the selected display pattern of the designated devicecorresponds to one of the display patterns of the devices other than thedesignated device, send, to the terminal, a screen indicating that theselected display pattern of the designated device corresponds to one ofthe display patterns of the devices other than the designated device,the screen further providing an option to reselect one of the displaypatterns; if it is judged that the selected display pattern of thedesignated device does not correspond to one of the display patterns ofthe devices other than the designated device, send designation data forupdating a selected display pattern to the designated device designatedas an operation target; generate display data for displaying anoperation screen in accordance with the update request; and send thegenerated display data for updating the operation screen to the selecteddisplay pattern to the terminal device over the network, wherein theterminal device is connected at a point on the network separate from theserver and has a second controller configured to: when a device isdesignated as an operation target and a display pattern is selected fromdisplay patterns, send an update request over the network for updatingan operation screen corresponding to the selected display pattern to theserver; and when receiving display data from the server, update theoperation screen according to the display data, and wherein the devicecorresponding to the operation target has a third controller configuredto: when receiving the designation data from the server, update thedisplay pattern on a second display of the operation target to theselected display pattern.
 19. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 18, wherein the display patternincludes at least one of a display color and a display style.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, thecomputer readable medium having additional instructions stored thereonthat, when executed by the processor, cause the server to: receive, fromthe terminal device, information specifying a designated display style;and transmit, to one of the plurality of devices, information forinstructing the device to display a screen according to the designateddisplay style.